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A happy train to a broken placehttps://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/a-happy-train-to-a-broken-place/
https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/a-happy-train-to-a-broken-place/#respondWed, 30 Jul 2014 15:52:01 +0000http://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/a-happy-train-to-a-broken-place/Recently I traveled to the DMZ with a group of youth from the Cayuga-Syracuse presbytery.
We were on a week long journey in South Korea, where we enjoyed the hospitality of our mission co-workers and YAVs in Daejeon a city of about two million people, and the people of the Ilsan-Hosu Presbyterian Church just outside of Seoul. We were able to see the beauty of Korea as we traveled by train, bus, and car in many directions. We even stood on the beach of the Yellow Sea outside of the Incheon airport. It was a week of beauty, miracles, and unexpected surprises around the most unlikely corners.
On Tuesday, we awoke early and headed over to the train station and ate breakfast as we waited for departure. We needed to have our passports and fill out paperwork that would allow us to enter and then exit the area known as the DMZ, a line of demarcation between the two Koreas. We were not traveling to the usual spot for this experience. We were going to Dorasan Station, what we were to learn was the spot where the seperation was the most lean. It was only the beginning of what would be a time of mystery, tension, and amazement. The train itself was a vessel of hope and joy. Bright colors and symbols of hope, peace and harmony were written on a myriad of languages on the inside walls. Music and pictures meant to uplift the traveler filled the cabins and on the return trip a few games and pictures were taken to help relieve the tension of the day. We left the train behind and the counting started. Almost every door had someone counting off those entering and those exiting. At some places two folks counting, making sure that the numbers were correct, and even the bus driver made sure that he had exactly the right number of riders. Once at the station we placed our bags in some lockers and headed down a tunnel into the earth. We picked up our helmets and headed straight down. This access tunnel was cut to intercept a tunnel that was being carved out by the North Korean army, and it was discovered only by accident. At the end a wall and observation port had been constructed and this was only the first of four such spots to choke the tunnel off. We learned that this was the third of four tunnels that had been discovered but the belief was that there were many more. After returning to the surface we were able to see another video and some museum displays of artifacts that have been discovered around the Station. Back on to the bus and off to the observation deck and another video describing all that we were seeing and how the landscape has changed since the armistice was signed in July 27 of 1953. The video shared of Kaesong, which is an industrial area in North Korea that is still open to commerce with the South, and the black structure at it’s heart that dominates the view. The most striking aspect of our time here was the idea that this place, sometimes called the largest mind field in the world could be a place of peace and reconciliation for the world, a place where the lines that separate us might be erased. Today it is a nature preserve full of the flora and fauna of the Korean peninsula.
Our day although busy and full was an amazing window into the peace process and the hope that South Korea has for the future. Now is the time for us to pray for Korea, for the war-torn nations of the world, and for the peace of Jerusalem. Amen.
]]>https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/a-happy-train-to-a-broken-place/feed/0shawnreyburnIMG_0498Off to Churchhttps://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/off-to-church/
https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/off-to-church/#respondThu, 24 Jul 2014 15:50:26 +0000http://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/off-to-church/Traveling across the South Korean countryside we were able to see farms and gardens tucked away in any available space and to start to process some of the tragic and amazing sites, smells and conversations that we had already seen. Our plan is to travel from the city of Daejeon to the capital of Seoul and meet up with some of our partners in the train station. Fortunately the announcer on the public address system shared information in English so we did could collect all our luggage and get off the train. We arrived at the end of the line about two hours after our departure and we missed our new friends Kurt and Hyeyoung who were behind us and preparing for the end of their first year with young adult volunteers, (YAV) but we were also anxious to see our partners in Seoul. As we moved up the escalator we were greeted by Pastor Pack and his associate Pastor Jonathan. It was so very good to see him again after the time he spent with us in Syracuse and working on Hurricane Sandy relief. A walk through the city was in order. We visited the largest book store in Korea and had lunch, and then wandered down the main street seeing statues of Admiral Yi Sun-shin and King Sejong the Great as well as visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace. A gorgeous expanse under the mountain and beside the river so as to have the most benefit from the spirit of the earth. The palace was painted in the traditional colors of green and red and protected against the birds that would try to nest along the roof. After exploring some we headed out of Seoul and to the city of Goyang and our host church Ilsan Hosu. A test was upon us as we were separated into groups and a family would take us in for the evening. Language would be a struggle as none of us spoke Korean and most of our host families spoke only a little English, but food and a hot shower would cover a myriad of obstacles and pave the way for friendship and fellowship. This foundation would help us as we awoke on Sunday and returned to church and Sunday school, Morning worship, fellowship time, and afternoon worship. In the United States, we struggle for one hour to set aside for God and our partners in Korea spend six to eight hours on Sunday singing, praying and spending time in God’s Word. Later that evening we were able to relax and for perhaps the first time let off some steam. Our hosts put us up in a hotel for the evening and gave us a bout two hours of rest before dinner. It was for most of us the first time we were not vigilant at al of the social mores that in the United States are no longer politically correct. Our day was long and full of so many times of fellowship and fun. It was a great day to spend in Church and as the body of Christ, because even though we do not speak the same physical language, we are still serving and loved by the same God.

Pray with me for energy and stamina as our students head toward the finish line. It is a wonderful experience but also a daunting one and we are so blessed to be in this place with people who care so much about us. Amen.

]]>https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/off-to-church/feed/0shawnreyburnPeace in our timehttps://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/20/peace-in-our-time/
https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/20/peace-in-our-time/#respondSun, 20 Jul 2014 22:29:32 +0000http://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/20/peace-in-our-time/In the book of Revelations there are several times when the people cry out to God. In each instance God answers. They are longing for an end to war and that the New Kingdom will begin. The echo over the years is a prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. Perhaps in our time we do not cry out to God enough, at all, or maybe we do not listen. In Jeremiah’s time the people closed their ears and eyes to the tragedy all around them. The war was at the front door and folks were unwilling to believe that the discipline that God had promised had finally arrived. Today this small group of Presbyterian American students traveled to a little known place; No Gun Ri Peace Park. While there we learned viscerally that war, any war is violent and ugly. This little park stands alone against the giants in our world and asks; who will take responsibility? They continue to point out the bruises and scars of our past, regardless of your ethnic background. The scars here are evident as you walk by and see the impact of bullets from over sixty years ago. The emotional trauma remains because everyday people are wounded by loved ones, strangers and their government. What will you do? It is a question asked by the director of the park who sat with this collection of youth and urged them to return to the international peace conference, or at the very least to live their lives for another. To not be selfish and insular but to strive to make a difference in the world around them was the charge issued to each of us.

The morning was as heavy as the rain clouds pouring out their treasure upon the earth and then as lunch arrived we were greeted with the shining sun and much of the weight was lifted off as we visited the Korean traditional music museum. We were given a short lesson on playing a traditional drum and for many of us sitting cross legged on the floor with the drum between our feet was hard enough. We played and laughed and enjoyed our music even though we could not always cross the language barrier. The music did this for us, even sharing our thanks. These bookend experiences only magnified our exhaustion and excitement as we continued our second full day.

One last experience was to help out in the soup kitchen. We worked and sweated with the regular workers and offered hospitality to the people who came for a hot meal, sometimes the only one for that day. This time was an exchange as we took some powerful lessons and then gave back in a very small way.

Continue to pray for the health and strength of the delegation as we travel by train today and look for God in the faces of those around us.

]]>https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/20/peace-in-our-time/feed/0shawnreyburnA new journeyhttps://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/a-new-journey/
https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/a-new-journey/#respondThu, 17 Jul 2014 22:49:34 +0000http://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/a-new-journey/Our journey began with a gathering outside a ticket kiosk in Syracuse’s Hancock airport. There are eight of us five female and three male. We are all going to South Korea as part of a week long trip to continue a relationship between the Pyongyang and Cayuga-Syracuse presbyteries, which had started fourteen years prior. Many of the travelers on this mission have never gone this far from home and been so completely immersed in a language and culture as unique, confusing and loving. Home is a very long way away and we cannot even read the traffic signs. It would be easy to panic and run back to the safe bubble of CNY, with our familiar patterns, shows, music and food. This is not that story.

Everything started out great as we collected our boarding passes through to Japan where we would need to pick up our last piece and transfer to our third airplane of the day. Once all of the good-byes and hugs were given the group of eight climbed the stairs and went through security. We huddled near the gate for our first plane ride and talked nervously, trying to sum up the others who were around us. Where do we fit and what is my job amongst this group of young adults are questions each asked in our hearts. Then the plane was ready for take off and before long we were wondering what was for lunch in Chicago. From Chicago we flew twelve hours to Japan and then through security and one last plane to Incheon, South Korea and once all of the paper work and money changing was over a sense of relief began. We were greeted outside by our hosts and off to the cars we went. Stopping for a drink and bathroom break along the two-hour drive to Han Nam University in the city of Daejeon. Everything seemed to be going so well and the rest we all longed for was so close. Then the realization came that one suitcase was missing. One person was lost and alone, a world away from home. No shoes, no toiletries, no change of clothes, and many questions about how and why. The emotion and exhaustion of the day bubbled up and spilled over in us all. Everything, after all, was supposed to be okay. We are the people of God and nothing should happen to us, right? The book of Hebrews tells us that God will never leave nor forsake us, but there is no promise of an easy life. So very often we in the Church look at the world through rose-colored glasses and believe that everything is okay. The world is a dark place and sin is everywhere. Pray with us as we travel this road together.

Pray with me for a small group of people who have ventured into an experience that is exhausting and life changing at the same time. Pray that as they hear a story here it will find fertile ground in their hearts and when they return to the United States they will be able to share the passion and perspective of the faithfulness of the Korean people.

]]>https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/a-new-journey/feed/0shawnreyburnSummer time and a visitorhttps://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/173/
https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/173/#respondTue, 17 Jun 2014 15:17:32 +0000http://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/?p=173Hello all, it has been some time since that last posting and I am sorry that I have been out of contact with our website.

Many of you have noticed that we as a congregation are moving in new directions. We have begun the process of hiring a new office staff person and a new organist. We also have changed the time of worship for the summer time to 10 o’clock. There are other changes going on as well, but what I really wanted to share with you is a new visitor we have had. His name is Paul and his desire is to travel with you this summer. He was all alone in the church pew where I found him recently and he shared that he feels a little neglected. His hope as it has been for almost two thousand years is to keep the local church connected and living out the truth of Jesus, which is to make disciples or “interns” who teach, preach and heal much as Jesus did when He lived amongst us as Immanuel. So as you head out on an adventure this summer, whether to the market or across the globe make sure to take “Paul” with you and document the journey. We would love to see where you both have been and what you have been up to. You can pin it the church’s facebook page so that others can se too.

Let’s have great summer and remember that God goes with us. Peace,

Shawn

]]>https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/173/feed/0shawnreyburnPassageshttps://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/passages/
https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/passages/#respondMon, 21 Oct 2013 23:33:24 +0000http://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/?p=105In the last few days it has become very apparent that the world around us is preparing for the winter coming. The fish we saw moving from the Lake into a more secure and safe body of water so that they might lay eggs and produce next years hatchlings told the story on one page, while the trees and the fruit they produce whether it be apples, cones, or berries marketing their produce so that the consumers will take the gift of fruit and scatter it far and wide on another. In each case the change is happening and we need to be prepared. In that direction that church is also moving. Change happens all around us and we are asked to meet the issues head on by some who desire us to take a stand on the environment or some political issue, while on the other hand there are those who simply want the church to bury its collective head in the sand and wait for the storm to pass. Both avenues have been explored by the church over the last two thousand years and in some cases have proved successful and in others they have failed. What is the church to do?

There are two passages that come to mind when I think of these issues within the church. The first is in The Gospel according to Matthew where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. There is no question of theology or polity but hospitality. Did you feed sheep, did you visit the sick and imprisoned? The answer determines on which side you find yourself. The second passage is from James, a letter often overlooked in the Church today. There are two verse in the first chapter which help us, I think, to navigate the troubled waters of today. The first is to be slow to speak and quick to listen (v.19) and the second is to look after the widows and orphans, which is a mandate that comes to us from out of the Hebrew Scriptures. (v.27) None of these verses ask us to be the body politic or to allow our faith and the Good News to become a matter debated in the marketplace or courts. Jesus asked us to go and spread good news through the entire world. We are the result of this journey which started with the few disciples who were in the upper room and present when Jesus Ascended. They started the journey in Jerusalem and spread out to Judea, all of Israel and finally to the world. Offering grace and mercy. Grace is not a tool of our economy and it is not able to be measured in a valid study or in market research it is about faith. Faith is is not science, or politics, it is raw and visceral and gut level and different for everyone who ever experiences it. God meets us where we are not where we should be or where we feel we ought. Where does God meet you? In the quiet of your home, the changing leaves in the park near your house, with friends around the lunch table? The times they are a changing but God remains. How will the Lord find you?

The Quaker’s ask this question of each other as a greeting. Wondering out loud with each other how the Spirit of God was moving in and among the body of Christ. So I am asking you to think about the changes and the world around us and whether or not they are going to distract us from the calling that God has placed upon our lives; to go and spread good news, or will we become mired in the chaos of budget problems and closed governments, wars, famine and judicial wrangling? The church is at a crossroads in time so I will ask again; How is the Spirit with you?

]]>https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/passages/feed/0shawnreyburnhttps://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/82/
https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/82/#respondTue, 17 Sep 2013 15:05:59 +0000http://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/?p=82God thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. God thunders marvelously with His voice. He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, “Fall on the earth’; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs. From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen. Job 37:4-10

So very often we get busy. Busy trying to complete all of the tasks on our lists. Busy trying to finish one major project or another, and we can finally see the light at the end when it goes out. The other night I was busy working on a project and had set a time to wrap up and go home. Minutes before and with no warning the lights simply went out. They tried to come back on quickly but could not, so I was done. I had no choice but to stop and wrap up what I could see, turn off the lights so they would not blaze on in the middle of the night and off to bed I went.

This passage from Job reminds us of just this fact. So very often we are busy, so busy that we loose sight of God and God’s plan for us. So God turns out the lights so we have no choice but to remind ourselves that we are not in control. Job was reminded of this when the ice and storm came and he had to stop and stay home just like the animals that find shelter in their dens and nests. How often do we find shelter under the wings of God? How often do we allow God to provide shelter for us in the midst of the storms that rage all around us? Maybe that is why the lights go out from time to time. God is waiting to talk to you and the list you carry has distracted you from that conversation. This past week there have been a large number of cars in the parking lot as apples are being prepared for apples in the morning and pies are being finished in the evening. Remember that with each pie, and apple that God is there with you. God wants to be part of the conversation that you are having around the table and as you travel between the kitchen and freezers, so make sure that we all take time to listen to God’s word for each of us and to give thanks that we are part of a congregation that gathers around the table, maybe even whispering the prayer; “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

]]>https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/82/feed/0shawnreyburnLearning lessonshttps://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/learning-lessons/
https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/learning-lessons/#respondThu, 12 Sep 2013 15:55:54 +0000http://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/?p=46Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus, that he desired their prayer support as he shared the mystery of gospel with anyone who would listen. The mystery still abounds today. Perhaps this is part of the mystery.

Every once in awhile there is an event that makes you scratch your head in wonder. This week in church there are people making crumbs for pie, painting, writing curriculum, voting on motions and asking for help. The Church is in a place where people come from every direction to seek help, and counsel for the obstacles life brings. Columbian is limited in its capacity to give and yet is very generous to people who are in need. Over the last several months news has returned to me that some of the people were less than honest about their troubles, but God nor the Bible tells us to keep tabs on the people to whom we give. The Bible does tell us to be sheep and not goats. To feed the hungry, visit the sick and imprisoned, bring cover for the naked and drink for the thirsty is what the Gospel according to Matthew and Jesus instructs.

Needless to say, these lessons are hard and sometimes costly, but we, the church have done our part, we have shared our gifts from God’s generous bounty, and the onus is now upon the recipient. God holds the scales of justice and grace and I am so glad that is not part of my job description. The church’s calling is to proclaim Good News, preserve the Truth, shelter and nurture of the children of God, maintain the worship of God, the promotion of social justice and the exhibition of the Kingdom to the world. Let us be about the business that God has ordained for us and gifted us and let today, tomorrow and the future worry for itself.

I just needed to share a little. There are several people who are connected to our church who are hurting. May we go to them and be with them instead of looking at the dollar signs. God will provide.

]]>https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/learning-lessons/feed/0shawnreyburnWorshiphttps://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/worship/
https://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/worship/#commentsThu, 19 Apr 2012 08:00:37 +0000http://sdreyburn.wordpress.com/?p=34Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Today we gathered to worship the risen Christ in three different churches. Once all of the sheep had arrived at our exit point we started down the road to church and traveled to Singjangwee Presbyterian church a middle size church of about eight hundred worshipers. They have three services every Sunday and I was preaching at the second service, which started at eleven in the morning.

We were warmly greeted by and associate of the church whose responsibilities were youth and young adults. This morning one of his responsibilities was to get us to the church on time and with all of his English notes in hand he gave all the information we would need. After arriving at that church we were ushered into the Pastor’s office and given rice cakes and tea, after removing our shoes, of course. As we sat around this table we shared stories of our churches and who we were more intimately. Questions were asked about the state of the church and what the Presbytery might look like. Interests and hobbies were shared and even though the languages were different we were able to share our hearts concern. Before we realized it an hour had passed and my three companions were shepherded to the sanctuary and I was given my shoes and down a narrow steep staircase followed Pastor Hahn to the staging area for those who would lead worship. Elder Oh, my interpreter and the liturgist and ushers were all present. Prayer was offered and down another set of steep stairs I found myself on the sanctuary floor. Pastor Hahn showed me to my seat and worship began with a responsive call and prayer. We were able to follow worship as we had a copy of the service with English and Korean text. The music was joyful and exuberant. A whispered prayer during a time of corporate confession and all of the anxiety melted away. Now was the moment of truth and I stood before a congregation larger than I have ever and I shared from my heart the sermon God and I had prepared. Looking about and making eye contact with many folks in the pew I perhaps was more animated than Pastor Hahn might be, but the message was the same as we worshiped the God of the universe. Luke 13:29 reminds us that all of God’s children are not from the same sheepfold and will come from many directions. The north, south, east and west, and for those who have confessed Jesus and believe in their heart that Christ is Lord will sit at the table of God. What a picture of what the church ought to be as we went to lunch in the fellowship hall of the church and broke bread, much as we might do at a church potluck. For dessert we migrated back to the pastor’s office and shared coffee and sweets with much conversation and laughter. Everything is simple and breath taking at the same time.

In the afternoon we met up with the rest of our fellowship and were able to see a Sunday school during the afternoon (3PM) service. The music and Bible lessons were simple and effective, asking children to use all of their senses. At the same time these children were learning Bible, English and what is expected in a church service. The teacher kept their attention until they broke up into small groups and we were escorted to a worship service with some folks from the Philippines who rented space in the church building for their worship. Finally we entered the sanctuary and heard the last part of the minister’s sermon and the rest of worship. This church, Youndong Presbyterian, is in another Presbytery and was served by a missionary James S. Gale from Canada. The history was alive and vibrant as we were introduced to it time and time again, and we were beginning to be overwhelmed by all that our shepherds were giving to us.

After dinner we headed off to do a little shopping and a cultural event that included five people who were making music using items we might find in our kitchens. Through out, the story line was of a restaurant where a visiting nephew was part of the mishaps of the chefs and the preparation for a dinner at 6. Laughter at the high jinks and amazement at the knife skills was applauded by the audience, but the real star was the amazing knife work.

Skipping ahead to Wednesday morning we woke early and prepared for a full day. The bus met us down stairs at the Mission center at 5:30 and we were off to a prayer service that started at 6. The church we attended was one of the largest in Korea. Active membership is one hundred thousand and the service we attended held at the least five hundred folks. We were just a few pilgrims amongst many and the sound of uttered prayers was breathtaking. To add our voices to the din and know that God hears me just as he does any other supplicant was awe inspiring and so once more we sat in awe of our loving merciful God. Psalm 33:8 tells us that God is Creator of all and so we should stand in awe and respect of a God so big who wants to know my most precious secrets and dreams. Worship is an integral part of what the people in Korea do. Many of the folks we saw at the Morning Prayer would be there every day of the week at the same time and then head off to work from this place of worship and recharge. God provides for His people and I believe that we in America, particularly in the church have forgotten that God provides. We believe that we might be able to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and we forget that it is God who called us out of slavery and showed us the way through the wilderness to the Promised Land. We also forget that God calls us each by name and knows our hearts desire. We forget that God desires that none of His should perish and that He wants to be in relationship with us. Perhaps it is time for the Church in America to pray for revival and seek that face of God. God will mold us into His people. Let us seek Immanuel, for God is still with us and has never left us. Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

Sorry folks, the internet connection where we are is spotty at best and I really wanted to post a picture with my last entry so I will try to add a few images with this post.

Early we arose to start our time here in Seoul and we headed down to breakfast where we could reconnect with our group and some of the shepherds who will be with us all day. After a breakfast of salad and fried eggs we went out to a historical venue: Chang-Deok-Gung Palace. These structures are historical buildings from 1405 and the Joseon palace. During the Japanese occupation this place was destroyed and left vacant. Only after the Japanese left were the y Koreans able to rebuild and they continue to do just that, so that they might hold onto their history and teach others about the culture and history of Korea. It is amazing that we think so highly of our 200-plus years of history in America and for the folks here to talk about six hundred years of history and not bat an eye is commonplace. We spent several hours within the palace grounds and it was amazing to be in this place of pristine beauty and pastoral peace knowing that outside the city walls there are twelve million people and a city that never sleeps. On the backside of the property the sounds of a crowd of folks playing baseball and enjoying the swing of the bat and metallic twang as the ball was struck were intermingled with the tombs and excavations of past rulers. In the midst of this scene we might be tempted to think that God is absent, and yet if one was to listen, to stop and listen, as we are commanded to do in Psalm 46:10. Then we might feel the passing of the Holy Spirit who still hovers over the face of the deep and each of us as well. The walls that separate us, that have always separated people from one another were beginning to seem pale and thin in this place of quiet and study. We had started our journey to the mountaintop and there was leanness between God and us. We could almost see the face of God.

After leaving the palace grounds we were treated to a traditional lunch Korean style. We did not sit on the floor but we did enjoy the food of Korea over several courses. Kim chi and beef, octopus and rice cake soup were all delicious and the use of chop sticks around the table kept this time light and full of humor. We learned that the Koreans make the best craftsmen and surgeons because they can use the chopsticks to remove the mung bean from within the soup. The dexterity that they have as they maneuver their sticks around the dinner plate is amazing. We shared conversation and stories as we enjoyed our leisurely meal. After much food and a little sweet for dessert we were off to the Seoul Tower and hiked up to the top where could take an elevator to the very top and have a 360 degree view of the city of Seoul. Etched in each window was the name of various cities that could be seen along that line of sight. We took time to enjoy a beverage and find our favorite view before we headed off for the bus and the mountain highway. We stopped at an overlook that gave us a view of some of Seoul’s mountains and were told of one mountain that many Christians go to pray and hold vigil all night long. One of the elders who is shepherding us has done this numerous times. This journey allowed us to become more acquainted with our new friends and we shared questions and laughter along with a song or two to punctuate a story. The ladies would sing often of the flowers or other short tunes they perhaps learned as children. There was nothing that separated us as we shared and learned together. We then traveled back to the centennial mission building for the evening and had much to ponder from our day of living history and fellowship. I wonder if Paul ever sat and reminisced over all of the miracles he had seen? To be in a place where everyday and each breath is a gift from God is sweet. To often we believe that something inside of us causes our hearts to beat, but it is God alone that fashioned us and breathed into us His very essence so that we might delight in and enjoy Him forever. It is necessary for us to take the time to breathe deep, breathe deep the breath of God. Peace be with all God’s children. Amen.